CCC Home: Faculty Profiles http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/Simple View.aspx RSS feed for the Faculty Profiles list. Sun, 19 May 2013 03:42:13 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 CCC Home: Faculty Profiles /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/Simple View.aspx CCC 2013 Commencement is May 10 http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/DispForm.aspx?ID=26 Content:

Coconino Community College student Justin Wilgus knew that if he achieved first team ranking in the All-Arizona Academic Team, a tuition waiver to Northern Arizona University would be included.

 

“I wanted it badly,” said Wilgus, who began taking classes at CCC in 2010 and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the College’s honor society. He will give the student address at the May 10 CCC Commencement ceremony.

 

College officials look at scholarship, community and college involvement and service.  Once selected, Phi Theta Kappa reviews the application and ranks the students onto first, second and third teams. Students selected for the first team go on to compete for national ranking.

 

Wilgus was diligent. He achieved a 4.0 grade point average his first semester at CCC and will graduate with a 3.9 GPA. He volunteers at the Coconino County Jail and works with a local organization that helps residents live a sober life. Would his achievements be enough?

 

Recently, Wilgus found out he had been chosen for CCC’s First Team All-Arizona Academic Team. The honor comes with the tuition waiver from the Arizona Board of Regents, which he will use to attend NAU. Also included is a $1,000 scholarship for First Team members.

 

In addition to his state honors, Wilgus was also selected as a national 2013 Coca-Cola Gold Scholar. Selection as a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar was based on scores earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, for which more than 1,800 applications were received this year. This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

 

Wilgus was ecstatic. His hard work and dedication had paid off. His future plans include majoring in geology and eventually obtain a master’s degree.

 

Wilgus’ time at CCC has helped him gain the self-assurance to be a successful student, Wilgus said.

 

“I feel more confident now,” he said. “I know how to ask questions, where to go for help and how to accept help. CCC helped me in that transition.”

Photo:
Thumbnail Photo:
Blurb: CCC student Justin Wilgus to give Graduate Address at ceremony
Current Profile: Yes
]]> COCO2K\om6qh Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:02:42 GMT http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/DispForm.aspx?ID=26 CCC alumni http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/DispForm.aspx?ID=25 Content:

Jason Casteel moved to Flagstaff from Phoenix about five years ago for a job. He didn’t realize that job would turn into a quest for a better career.

After a few years of working in manufacturing at W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Casteel realized that he wanted to advance within the company.

“The only way to move in the technical direction I wanted was to have a technical degree,” Casteel said.

In Spring 2009, Casteel enrolled at Coconino Community College for an introduction to computer information systems class. He had tried college in the past, but it never held his interest. This time, he was focused on attaining a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Being married with two children, working full-time and taking a full load of classes hasn’t been easy. Shortly after starting at CCC, Casteel applied for the CCC2NAU program, which provides student with intense academic advising to allow for a seamless transition from CCC to Northern Arizona University. The transition program has won national recognition for helping students succeed at CCC and NAU.

“You’ve heard horror stories about classes that either don’t transfer or transfer differently to the university,” Casteel said. “CCC2NAU set me on a straight path to transfer to NAU.”

Casteel, 34, transitioned to NAU in the fall 2012 semester.

“It has definitely been a learning experience,” he said. He’s finally taking the core classes he needs for his engineering degree, which he knows will open him up for many different types of opportunities.

Still, he hopes to eventually move up in the ranks at Gore, the company that encouraged and supported his desire for higher education.

“I love it there,” Casteel said of the medical device company which keeps its Arizona-base in Flagstaff. “It’s inspiring to be part of a company whose products either save or help improve lives.”

His goal is to have his engineering degree in fall 2015. Casteel gives this advice to anyone considering going back to school or thinking of changing careers.

“Go take the placement test at CCC and take a class,” he said. “I’d been out of school for 10 years. Try one class. Get your feet wet a little bit and soon after, you’ll be in the routine.”

Photo:
Thumbnail Photo:
Blurb: Jason Casteel finds path to engineering degree at CCC
Current Profile: No
]]> COCO2K\om6qh Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:09:03 GMT http://coconino.edu/Lists/Faculty Profiles/DispForm.aspx?ID=25